What to do and see in Valletta, Island of Malta: The Best Historic Sites

October 23, 2021 Tonie Szymanski

Founded in 1565 by the Order of St John as a refuge for soldiers returning from the Crusades, Valletta is now the capital of Malta and a piece of living history. With an unsurpassed collection of original Baroque architecture, fortified city walls overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, and the spectacular Co-Cathedral of St John, which features intricately carved stone vaults and a famed painting by Caravaggio, it is no wonder that this smallest of European capital cities is a world heritage site.
Restaurants in Valletta

1. Reliving The Sacra Infermeria

Old Hospital Street, Valletta, Island of Malta VLT 1645 Malta +356 2559 5205 [email protected] http://mcc.com.mt/ar-museum/
Excellent
100%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 1 reviews

Reliving The Sacra Infermeria

An innovative museum concept based on Augmented Reality, housed in one of the most iconic buildings in Valletta - The Sacra Infermeria. A visit to the museum will transport you back in time, whereby you can interact with the main characters and be part of history. A fun and educational experience for everyone.

2. St. John's Co-Cathedral

St. John Street, Valletta, Island of Malta Malta +356 2248 0400 [email protected] http://stjohnscocathedral.com/
Excellent
77%
Good
18%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 11,734 reviews

St. John's Co-Cathedral

Built between 1573 and 1577, this cathedral contains two masterpieces by Caravaggio. St John’s Co-Cathedral is a gem of Baroque art and architecture. It was built as the conventual church for the Knights of St John. This church is till this very day an important shrine and a sacred place of worship. It is also a venue for cultural events. The construction was commissioned in 1572 by Grand Master Jean de la Cassière to serve as the conventual church of the Knights of Malta and designed by the Maltese military architect Gerolamo Cassar. The church was dedicated to St John the Baptist, the patron saint of the Order. The oratory holds the biggest and only signed masterpiece by Caravaggio. St John’s church is administered by the St John’s Co-Cathedral Foundation responsible for the religious cultural heritage of the monument.

Reviewed By A7559IAmichaelc - Hampton, Australia

Amazing Cathedral and unique all the key knights of Malta are represented (Germany, Auvergne, Provence, etc..) and you get to see some stunning paintings from Caravaggio especially the beheading of St John the Baptist

3. Parrocca San Pawl Nawfragu

74 St Paul St, Valletta, Island of Malta 1212 Malta +356 2122 3348 http://www.facebook.com/ParroccaSanPawlNawfraguValletta/?ref=ts&fref=ts
Excellent
55%
Good
34%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 776 reviews

Parrocca San Pawl Nawfragu

Reviewed By bobbythomas153 - Southport, United Kingdom

I visited the Church of St Paul's shipwreck back in early October when i was visiting Malta.I got lost trying to find the church its not the most easiest of places to find.It's tucked away down a side street. I felt safe visiting this church as a lone traveler to Valletta. I found the church to be very dark inside. The decor is so spectacular as is the Magnificent stone floor though out the church. I liked all he areas of the church its all beautiful and well worth a visit.

4. Pjazza Teatru Rjal

Casa Cassar, Triq il-Vittorja, Valletta, Island of Malta 1050 Malta +356 2247 8100 [email protected] https://culture.gov.mt/en/pjazzateatrurjal/Pages/main.aspx
Excellent
50%
Good
50%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 2 reviews

Pjazza Teatru Rjal

5. Casa Rocca Piccola

74 Republic Street, Valletta, Island of Malta VLT 1117 Malta +356 2122 1499 [email protected] http://www.casaroccapiccola.com/
Excellent
66%
Good
25%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
1%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,508 reviews

Casa Rocca Piccola

If you fancy seeing something a little bit different when visiting Valletta go to Casa Rocca Piccola. Often described as a ‘living museum’ it is the only privately owned palace open to the public in the city. Built over 400 years ago for a Knight of Malta, Don Pietro La Rocca it is now the ancestral home of a Maltese Noble family. On your tour the guides will point out interesting things to see such as an 18th Century golden Sedan Chair. There are literally hundreds of magnificent objects to see including modern paintings interspersed with the ancestral portraits of the Marquises de Piro and the Barons of Budach. You will also see a network of tunnels cut out from the rock under Casa Rocca Piccola which were used as Bomb Shelters in World War 2. Over 100 people sheltered here from the Nazi bombs that poured on Valletta. To finish your tour in the cellars of the house there is a delightful Sicilian restaurant called La Giara.

Reviewed By sharonhW264WM - Las Vegas, United States

This magnificent 16th-century palace of a noble Maltese family is the only privately-owned palazzo open to the public and definitely a “must see.” Owned by the Marquis de Piro, the family lives above the two floors that are open to the public, and they use those floors when tours are not going on. Greeted by a large blue and yellow macaw, we started the tour in the enclosed courtyard/garden, enjoying the fountain and the lovely garden. Upstairs we toured the main floor--sitting rooms, dining rooms (one winter/one summer), bedrooms, a study, and a small chapel. We also toured the basement. Originally a well for the house, it was converted to bomb shelter rooms during WWII—one for the family and two others for the local citizens. (Malta was heavily bombed during WWII since it served as Eisenhower’s headquarters for the invasion of Sicily and Italy.) The furnishings and artwork were magnificent, but unlike many palaces that we have visited which seem cold and sterile, this one gave us a really cozy, lived-in feeling. The tour was wonderful. Not only did we get a feel for the house and the family, but also for the place this house held in the history of Malta.

6. Lascaris War Rooms

Lascaris Ditch, Valletta, Island of Malta VLT 2000 Malta +356 7987 4153 [email protected] http://www.lascariswarrooms.com/
Excellent
79%
Good
16%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 3,933 reviews

Lascaris War Rooms

The Lascaris War Rooms consist of an underground complex of tunnels and chambers that housed the War Headquarters from where the defence of Malta was conducted during the Second World War.This secret complex contained operations rooms for each of the fighting services from where not only the air defence of Malta was coordinated, but also some of the greatest battles fought in the Mediterrean during the war. In July 1943, the Lascaris War Rooms served as the advance headquarters for the Invasion of Sicily (Operation Husky)by Generals Eisenhower, Montgomery, Alexander and Clark and Air Marshal Tedder and Admiral Cunningham. It went on being used under different forms by both the British services and Nato up to 1977.

Reviewed By andyburton76 - Lichfield, United Kingdom

We went to the war rooms on a whim and one of best parts of day! Did the guided tour in English with Matthew who really knew his stuff and was funny and informative at the same time. Not that big so can do in a hour or 2 but really important location in islands history.

7. Barrakka Lift

Xatt Lascaris Upper Barrakka Gardens, Valletta, Island of Malta VLT 1920 Malta https://www.transport.gov.mt/land/other-public-transport/barrakka-lift-826
Excellent
51%
Good
33%
Satisfactory
12%
Poor
2%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,270 reviews

Barrakka Lift

The Barrakka Panoramic Lifts are located inside the ditch of the fortifications of Valletta, and it links Lascaris Wharf to St. Peter and Paul Bastion and the Upper Barrakka Gardens. It allows access from the Grand Harbour to the Valletta city. It was first constructed in 2012, on the site of a previous lift (1905 - 1973). In 1905, the lift was constructed out of steel, and it was 60 m high. The lift had two cabins that could hold 12 passengers and tickets cost ½d for military personnel and 1d for other clients. Malta's independence in 1964, took a toll on the lifts as a significant amount of the lift's clients were British military personnel and employees. There were significant losses, stopped operation in 1973 and lifts were demolished in 1983. Plans to construct similar steel structure lifts initiate in 2004, were designed by the local firm Architecture Project and inaugurated in 2012. The lifts facilitate access to the historic centre of Valletta to/from the Grand Harbour.

Reviewed By chrissieb94 - Dorset, United Kingdom

The Barrakka Lift links the Grand Harbour and Waterfront with the city centre above, with its museums and churches, shops and restaurants. It saves time and a long walk uphill and takes just a few seconds! You are charged 1 Euro to go up and it is free to go down. Excellent idea!

8. Il-Berga ta' Kastilja

Triq Il-Merkanti, Valletta, Island of Malta Malta http://www.cityofvalletta.org/content.aspx?id=46675
Excellent
39%
Good
48%
Satisfactory
12%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 221 reviews

Il-Berga ta' Kastilja

Reviewed By 524grahamd - Bury St. Edmunds, United Kingdom

This is an impressive building in a commanding position at the entrance to Valletta. It is very well maintained. Formerly an auberge, it is presently occupied by the office of the Prime Minister of Malta, so it is private and the interior cannot be visited. At night it is excellently floodlit. It is an obvious photo opportunity or, as I did, prepared a small watercolour painting which is easy to do here as there is public seating in the essentially traffic free square immediately outside the front of the building.

9. War HQ Tunnel

Vlt1221, Valletta, Island of Malta Malta +356 2180 0992 https://wirtartna.digitickets.co.uk/events/7945?catID=4720
Excellent
80%
Good
17%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 332 reviews

War HQ Tunnel

Reviewed By Chrispal26

Great tour of the old tunnels today with Greg. Eight people in total, so a good size and didn't at any point feel rushed. Lasted just over an hour so out in time for the noon cannon firing in our case (10:30 tour). Interesting backstory and good to support the Maltese in telling their story and expanding the viewable rooms/tunnels. Seeing the original marked maps was the highlight. Info for organising your visit: * Buy the 40 Euro multi site pass on the door or online beforehand (this is different to the 50 Euro pass for visiting around 25 places - these are not included in that one). * The 40 Euro pass is valid for one week and gets you into the War HQ Tunnels for the guided tour, the Saluting Battery for Cannon firing and demonstration, the Larconis War Rooms (including guide led or audio guide tour), the Malta at War Museum in Birgu, Fort Rinella (including minibus ride to either the War Museum or Rinella - book when buying ticket - departs Saluting battery at 12:20, arrive at the Museum at 12:45 or the Fort shortly thereafter) and the City Gate Ramparts. * We did the War HQ Tunnels, Saluting Battery and Larconis War Rooms one day and combined Fort Rinella and the Museum on another, along with taking in the three cities. * Bus back from Rinella/Birgu is the no. 3. * Need an hour for War HQ Tunnels tour, 30-45 minutes at the Saluting Battery (including firing at noon or 4pm), and an hour to an hour and a half for the Larconis War Rooms (30 minute film and then 30 minute guided tour or with audio guide). * War Tunnels tour was 10:30 and 12:15 the day we visited and probably later as well. Website states 13:00 or 14:00 depending on where you look! * Larconis War Rooms film/tour combos are roughly on the hour, but not always! We arrived at 1255 and film started at 1330 with tour at 1400 hence give yourself 1.5 hours! Guided tour better than audio guide although only covers downstairs so need time to explore upstairs. * I hope this info download helps people in future!

10. Castellania

No. 11_19, Merchants Street, Valletta, Island of Malta 1171 Malta
Excellent
0%
Good
100%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 3 reviews

Castellania

ThingsTodoPost © 2018 - 2024 All rights reserved.